Spending large amounts of time on an airplane is…fun. It also means that your sense of time becomes completely skewed. Today, after arriving, my body is convinced it is in Los Angeles, North Carolina, and New Zealand, all at the same time. Besides that, no confusion whatsoever.
Today’s highlights:
Walking around the park where I once slept under a highway overpass, and noting the new wall now separating said overpass from said park.
Exploring the university campus and getting completely and utterly lost. Then getting un-lost. Taking comfort in the similarity of library catalogs worldwide.
Discovering that the window in my hostel room does not shut, and enjoying the mildly wintery gusts of wind sneaking in through the 4-inch (9-centimeter?) gap, plus the beak of the inquisitive sparrow perched on the ledge.
Mince pie from a small coffee shop called Seattle Espresso, where I met a man whose brother is currently doing research in North Carolina (related to me with no prior mention of my homeplace).
New Zealand accents. And attractive New Zealand men in line at customs.
Good stuff, all. Research proper to commence tomorrow. I forgot that everything closes at 5 p.m….
Snark on the Side 
A flight like that will definitely do a number on your sense of time. I mean, a flight to Europe (which isn't nearly as taxing) can have a pretty big effect.New Zealanders have their own accent? Wow.Glad to hear you made it in OK!